I wish to offer my happiest congratulations to Deputy Seán Power who was appointed as a Minister of State yesterday.
Business of Joint Committee.
I second those congratulations. There will now be a place for some of the disappointed people where the Chairman is sitting.
On behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I too congratulate Deputy Seán Power and celebrate his promotion. Deputy Power was always a very cool, balanced and effective chairman, with the emphasis on "balanced". I also wish to congratulate him on a personal basis.
I too wish to be associated with those kind remarks by my colleagues. Deputy Seán Power was a very able, competent, articulate and impartial chairman of this committee. I am sure that if he brings the same qualities to his new ministerial status, he will perform just as well. My sincere and heartfelt congratulations are extended to Deputy Power and his family. I would like to pre-empt the decision to fill the Chair by wishing whichever one of his disappointed colleagues will fill it the very best of luck in their role.
I congratulate Deputy Power on his appointment and wish him every success in the position. I suppose it would be inappropriate for me to propose Deputy Allen as Chairman of the committee. Would that be in order?
That is not on the agenda today.
The committee went into private session at 12.05 p.m. and resumed in public session at 12.10 p.m.